They may be just a small country team taking on the big city competition, but Hanwood has again shown it has what it takes, walking away victors in the quarter-finals of the Bill Cullinan Cup.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sunday’s game was a hard-fought victory and a tough one overall, according to coach Jason Bertacco.
“It was physical, very physical and in saying that we got a few rough calls that went against us,” he said on Sunday afternoon.
One of those “dodgy” calls saw the side have a man sent off in the 50th minute and with the score tied up 1-1 both sides were tense.
“We just kept working hard but we dug deep, all the boys dug deep and Dem Torino scored with just three minutes left,” Bertacco said.
Torino’s goal brought the score to 2-1 in Hanwood’s favour when the final siren sounded, despite the opposition having had a strong start and scoring first.
With the long trip home from Sydney made more appealing after a win Bertacco said his side was in good spirits after the win, with playing in the competition having proved a benefit despite the extra games and long trips.
“We are able to get away as a full squad, we go for dinner and it is a really good bonding experience for everyone,” he said. “We are in the semis now and with each level the opposition gets better.”
